The Depa
rtment of Labor and Industries announced last week that workers’ comp premiums in 2015 will increase by less than half of the 1.8 percent proposed back in September.
The average increase of 0.8 percent is a full percentage point below the originally proposed figure. This difference will result in a welcome savings of about $20 million for workers and employers. The 2015 rates, which take effect January 1, average an additional half cent per hour worked.
This savings is one of the ongoing results of the workers’ comp reform laws passed by the Legislature in 2011.
L&I sets steady and predictable rates to build contingency reserves that will protect against unexpected large rate increases in the future. The agency is working on improving its ability to get injured workers healed and back to work while reducing costs. It is focusing on injury prevention, quality health care, support for employers who want to keep injured workers on the job, and improving the workers’ comp claims process.
Get more information reading the Q&As about the 2015 rates.